WILMINGTON, N.C. — The death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police has re-ignited the conversation surrounding police brutality and reform across the country.

Robert Bellamy, a Black man from Wilmington, says he was beaten by eight officers while in jail 20 years ago. He says that after all this time, the need for change has only grown.

 

What You Need To Know

On January 7, Tyre Nichols was beaten by five police officers in Memphis, Tennessee

Three days later, he died from his injuries

All five police officers have been fired and are facing several charges

 

“It don’t make any sense at all,” Bellamy said. “It’s crazy, this is crazy.”

Robert Bellamy gets emotional while watching the released police footage of the beating of Tyre Nichols. (Spectrum News 1/Natalie Mooney)

That’s Bellamy’s reaction to watching the released police footage from the beating of Nichols that ultimately led to his death. Watching it hits close to home for Bellamy. In 2003, he says he was beaten while in a holding cell.

“I survived a beating from eight officers,” Bellamy said. “And I don’t know how many times I was hit, but I know I was hit everywhere, because I can feel, I remember, I know I was hit in my face and ribs.”

Bellamy admits he made mistakes. He’s been arrested for burglary and later convicted. He even admits he’d been mouthing off at the officers, but doesn’t feel that justifies what he says happened.

“It’s a gang mentality,” Bellamy said. “And it’s brutal.”

Robert Bellamy watches the released police footage of the beating of Tyre Nichols. (Spectrum News 1/Natalie Mooney)

He says he thought about pursuing a case against the officers, but decided against it, thinking it would make things worse in lockup. It was also a time before body cameras, when proving a case like this was even harder.

Now, 20 years later, Bellamy is hoping technology and some loud voices will help lead to real change. Bellamy took steps to change his own life after his conviction — now he’s a chef, musician, poet and an activist.  

At a rally for justice for Nichols this past weekend, Bellamy spoke out about his own story and what he calls a need for police reform.

Robert Bellamy joins other activists at a rally for justice for Nichols in downtown Wilmington. (Spectrum News 1/Natalie Mooney)

“When you see that type of beating, when you see the way they treated this gentleman, Mr. Tyre, it shows you that they had no remorse for his life. They didn’t care about him,” Bellamy said. “They wanted to say ‘I’m the man,’ you know, ‘you’re gonna listen to me boy,’ you know, ‘and if you don’t listen I’m gonna beat ya till you listen,’ and that’s what they did to him.”

He hopes his voice and the voices of others will save people the pain he felt 20 years ago. 

“As a Black man, as an American, we’re sick and tired of this,” Bellamy said. “We’re sick and tired of this and you know, we want peace.”

According to a Gallup panel survey conducted last year, half of those surveyed said major changes are needed to make policing better, and 39% said at least minor changes are needed. That same research also said that the public widely supports officers having good relations with their community and believe if an officer abuses their power, they should be held accountable.